Myongji Hospital successfully performs PFA for atrial fibrillation

Myongji Hospital said Tuesday it successfully performed pulsed field ablation (PFA), the latest treatment for atrial fibrillation.

The procedure, performed by a team led by Professors Hwang Eui-seok and Lee Jae-hyuk of the Department of Cardiology, is characterized by selectively applying high-voltage electrical signals to the lesion, minimizing damage to surrounding tissues and side effects, and helping patients recover faster.

Myongji Hospital was the first in the Gyeonggi region to introduce the cooling balloon ablation procedure in 2022, and the success of this procedure allows the hospital to offer patients a variety of treatment options.

Atrial fibrillation is an arrhythmic condition in which the heart beats irregularly and rapidly, increasing the risk of stroke and heart failure if left untreated. It is also closely associated with advanced age, high blood pressure, and diabetes, and its prevalence is steadily increasing.

Atrial fibrillation treatment includes radiofrequency electrode ablation, cooling balloon ablation, and PFA. Among them, radiofrequency electrode ablation is the most commonly known method, but it uses thermal energy to destroy tissue, damaging some surrounding normal tissue. As an alternative, cryoballoon ablation, which freezes the lesion and causes necrosis, has been widely used.

Recently, PFA, which uses electric fields without heat or cooling, has been gaining popularity. This method has a lower risk of damage to surrounding tissues due to high or low temperatures, fewer complications such as bleeding or blood clots, and shorter procedure time and faster recovery.

Professor Lee Jae-hyuk said, “The introduction and successful implementation of PFA has provided atrial fibrillation patients with new treatment options and safe and effective treatment. It will continue to play a pivotal role in the treatment of cardiovascular disease with high outcomes and patient satisfaction.”